WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former President George W. Bush "seemed to feel considerable unease" with John McCain as the Republican presidential nominee, according to ex-speechwriter Matt Latimer in his tell-all memoir on his days in the White House.
In Latimer's new book, "Speech-less: Tales of a White House Survivor," set to hit bookstores on September 22, he reveals Bush's reactions to the economic collapse, the presidential campaign, and other memorable events. GQ published an excerpt from the memoir in its October issue.
Latimer said Bush liked Mitt Romney best and that he was "clearly not impressed with the McCain operation." Latimer said the former president wanted to appear with McCain at a campaign event in Phoenix, but after he was told the then-Republican nominee couldn't get enough people to show up, he called it a "cruel hoax."
"'He couldn't get 500 people? I could get that many people to turn out in Crawford.' He shook his head. 'This is a five-spiral crash, boys.'"
Bush presumed Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic nominee, according to Latimer, and was extremely critical of Barack Obama. Latimer said Bush was "ticked off" after one of Obama's speeches and he said the future president wasn't "remotely qualified" for the challenges of the job.
"(Bush) came in one day to rehearse a speech, fuming. 'This is a dangerous world,' he said for no apparent reason, 'and this cat isn't remotely qualified to handle it. This guy has no clue, I promise you,'" Latimer said.
Latimer also made the controversial assertion that after Sarah Palin was tapped as McCain's running mate, Bush reportedly asked whether she was "the governor of Guam" and said that she was "not even remotely prepared." A former Bush and Palin aide has challenged the accuracy of the charge.
From CNN Politics
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Talk about "clueless"...!!!
Tell it like it is George.
"he said the future president wasn't "remotely qualified" for the challenges of the job."
Yup, which is why every evil Dictator on this planet loves how the Democrats in power now see their own citizens who are honest, law abiding, factual people as the terrorists, while those who took down the twin towers are according to the Democrats just victims of Imperialist America. Hey, you agree, if you vote Democrat you do, sorry no debating it, that's a fact.
It was true then, and its true now. Obama has no clue. Hopefully, he is the last "community organizer" to rise to the presidency.
Bush said Obama "Wasn't remotely qualified". Seems like Bush was clairvoyant and pretty astute on that observation!
coming from Bush ?! LOL
Mr. President, you say Obama is or was not qualified? Well, you should know.
Bush was right on all accords. Obama, McCain and Palin were not prepared to be President. Romney would have been the better financial guru....
This article is better than chocolate.
Of course Obama has no clue. This is what you get when you put a street lawyer in charge of the country. Prosecuting the CIA for doing their job is just a super expenditure of resources when the only thing the CIA should be busy doing is protecting us from terrorists. Obama blows -
The dumb often think those smarter than them have no clue.
LOL!!! and GWB was ready??? Where has he been the last 8 years to see all the destruction he has caused our nation and to start a war that he could not finish.
'and this cat isn't remotely qualified to handle it. This guy has no clue, I promise you,'"
That settles it! President Obama IS the man for the job!
The Truth will set you free,and we have figured it out Obama,is so inexperenced he is still campaigning.He still does not know he applied for the job and ran for the office,he did not inherit anything he did not ask for. If Obama feels the job is too tough he can always resign.
So one of the dumbest presidents in our history calls one of our smartest presidents clueless.....
oookaaayy.....
Nothing to see here people, move along....
"Latimer said Bush was "ticked off" after one of Obama's speeches and he said the future president wasn't "remotely qualified" for the challenges of the job."
Now W knows how we felt about him when he ran. The difference is that Obama is actually trying to get us out of the ditch W drove us into.
LOL Bush, I miss his dumb remarks. One thing he did right is give tons of material to comedians.
Yeah, Let Bush knew what he was doing....look at the mess he has put us in
I treat these political “tell-all” books as fiction based on facts. How accurate are this speech writer’s assertions? Do we have confirmation from several sources or just the word of Latimer? So, it becomes the political he said, she said now? One would learn more about the inner workings of the White House viewing a repeat of the West Wing than these juicy gossip books.
I may owe this guy an apology.
Bush says Obama isn't remorely qualified for the job? That out of the mouth of the most illiterate president we've had in a century or more. Priceless!!!
I agree 100%. Obama was not even remotely qualified to become President. 2012 can't get here fast enough. The Republicans better put up a good candidate this time or the Tea Party just might materialize as a viable 3rd party.
On this one, Bush was right. Palin wasn't ready, and Obama wasn't either. I hope this young man starts learning how to drive before he causes a bigger wreck.
i wonder how bush feels about his own qualifications. honestly, do we even care about his opinion? the conservative movement has driven our once proud country into the ground...
BWAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! Bush saying someone else – particularly Obama – doesn't have a clue? BWAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! Now that's hilarious.